Santo Árbol de la Cruz facts for kids

Santo Arbol de la Cruz was a strong fort built in 1585. A fort is like a mini-castle or a protected military base. It was constructed by Alonso de Sotomayor, who was the Royal Governor of Chile at that time. A Royal Governor was a very important leader, chosen by the king of Spain to rule a colony.

This fort was located in a key spot. It was north of where the Guaqui River flows into the bigger Bio Bio River. Today, this area is close to the modern train station and village called Duiquín in Chile.

Why Was Santo Arbol de la Cruz Built?

The Santo Arbol de la Cruz fort was built to help protect the Spanish settlements in Chile. In the 1500s, there were often conflicts between the Spanish colonists and the native Mapuche people. Forts like this one were important for defense and to control the land.

The Fort's History and Use

Over time, the area around the fort became important for other reasons too.

Jesuit Presence at the Fort

At this very site, a group called the Jesuits once had a home. The Jesuits were a religious order, like a group of priests and brothers, who often built schools and missions. They set up a residence in a nearby settlement called Postahue. However, the Jesuits had to leave in 1767 because they were expelled from all Spanish territories. This meant their residence at Postahue was abandoned.

Surviving Attacks and Setting Borders

The Santo Arbol de la Cruz fort was very strong. It managed to survive many attacks during a big Mapuche rebellion in 1599. Many other forts were destroyed during this time, but Santo Arbol de la Cruz held strong.

Later, another governor named Alonso de Ribera used this fort as part of a plan. His plan was to create a clear border along the Biobío River. This border was meant to separate the Spanish-controlled lands from the Mapuche territories. The fort played a role in keeping this border secure.

See also

In Spanish: Fuerte Santo Árbol de la Cruz para niños